I'm about to GPT partition my external Hard drive. Will it erase my data?

Question

I have an external WD My Book essential 3 TB hard drive. For some reason I gotta get it done with GPT partition into two sizes i.e 1.7 TB and 1.3 TB. I already have 1.5 TB data full of videos and songs. If I go on with the partition will all my data be erased?

Answer 1

Yes, repartitioning a HDD normally will cause loss of data. This is assuming that the new partition overlaps the existing partition w/your data on it.



MBR partitions are limited to 2TB of storage. However, the MBR only allows you to have four primary partitions at most and causes space waste for the 3TB drive.



GPT is the abbreviation of GUID Partition Table, which was introduced as part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) initiative. GPT provides a more flexible mechanism for partitioning disks than the older Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme that was common to PCs. See the link below for more info.

Answer 2

Yes and No.



Yes you will lose your data if you actually repartition your hard-drive.



No. Because, WIndows Vista or Later has a function that can repartition your hard-drive without removing any of your data. By Shrinking of Expanding your hard drives capacity. Assuming that the drive being shrink is empty (no data).

Answer 3

It relies upon on the attitude which you utilize. domicile windows does grant a fashion of partitioning yet i think that it does format the force interior the approach. perfect click My laptop > handle > Disk administration. you could could acquire a disk administration application mutually with Acronis Disk Director. This application will allow you to partition present partitions with records on them. that's like making use of a scalpel while domicile windows acts like a hatchet.